Visible Bodies: Twin Cities captures transgender experiences

Visible Bodies is a community arts initiative which began as a student project. The idea is to photograph and document the individual experiences of those who identify as genderqueer or transgender -- be it transitional moments, artistic photo shoots, or just bits of mundane daily life -- and ultimately display the works in a gallery show that both empowers and educates. The original effort began at the University of California, expanded to the San Diego community, and is now in the process of starting up in the Twin Cities and Portland, Oregon.

The local leg of the project is currently in the early development stages. To help get things off the ground, the group of is hosting an Indiegogo campaign that runs through Monday.

With the Minnesota exhibition, Visible Bodies TC hopes to photograph 40 individuals. So far, they've raised $2,745, and their goal is set at $4,000. Money raised through the campaign will go directly towards materials to print and frame photography, and to hopefully pay photographers minimum wage. Funds collected on the site will benefit the group regardless of whether or not they hit their goal.

Are you interested in participating? In addition to seeking volunteers, the organization is also accepted applications for those open to modeling. You can apply on VB's website.